Lorna Sheridan: Education Roundup, June 12

Free Raceway tickets, book bingo, SRJC help and more|

Approved: Sonoma Charter School and Woodland Star Charter received unanimous approval for their five-year charter renewal petitions at the School Board meeting for the Sonoma Valley Unified School District on June 5.

Red & White Ball: Tickets are on sale for the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation's 25th anniversary Red & White Ball on Saturday, Aug. 25 at the Plaza. Visit svgreatschools.org for more information.

Lemonade stands: Whether it is sweet move or a publicity stunt, Country Time Lemonade has announced that it will cover the fees or fines of any children who are ticketed for improperly operating a lemonade stand this summer. 'Legal-Ade' will reimburse the cost of the fine or permit up to $300. The brand has committed to covering up to a limit of $60,000 total.

Law enforcement: There is less than a week left to register for the Sonoma Sheriff Office's Youth Academy. Students can get hands-on experience and see what it's actually like to be a deputy. Deadline to register is June 15 at 5 p.m. The application is at www.sonomasheriff.org/youth-academy/.

Free car racing: Sonoma Raceway NASCAR kids tickets are free at Lucky supermarkets with the purchase of an adult ticket, while supplies last.

Internship: Are you passionate about the environment? Do you want job experience working on the land? Sonoma Land Trust has a few summer and fall internships still available. www.sonomalandtrust.org/discover/internships.html

Learn to swim: Swim America is offering a wide array of swim and stroke school classes at Hanna Boys Center this summer. Sessions start this week and run through early August. Scholarships are available. Learn more at www.swimamericasonoma.org.

SRJC: The Santa Rosa Junior College Student Outreach Team is hosting an enrollment services lab on Tuesdays in June. If you are a new student and need assistance with your SRJC application, FAFSA or orientation, come to the lab to get help on June 12, 19, 26 from 3 to 5 p.m., in Plover Hall, room 558, Santa Rosa campus.

Young drivers: Having a contract that is written together, signed together, and one in which both parent and teen agree is 'fair,' will not only save you from potential driving disagreements, it's also a lesson in negotiation skills and teaching teenagers to stand behind their word. A sample is online at www.cdc.gov/parentsarethekey/agreement/index.html.

Book bingo: The Sonoma Valley Library is sponsoring a bingo and prize summer reading program. Pick up a book bingo card from the library and drawings will be held on June 16 and 30, July 14 and 28, and Aug. 11 and 25. The grand prize drawing will be on Sept. 8. Last day for bingo is Friday, Sept. 7.

Scholarships: In an effort to broaden access to Montessori education for local students and their families, Crescent Montessori School will award up to three full-tuition scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year. The program is open to students entering third through eighth grade, with a deadline of June 30 to submit applications via Crescent's website, www.crescentmontessori.com/scholarships. Scholarships will be awarded based on both merit and need, and will continue for the duration of the recipients' careers at Crescent.

Internet safety: Staysafe.org's guide to Internet Safety for Teens is very helpful. www.staysafe.org/teens/

Museum fun: The Children's Museum of Sonoma County has a new firefighter playhouse exhibit opening on Tuesday, June 12. This summer the museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1835 W. Steele Lane in Santa Rosa. cmosc.org

Disaster planning: Does your family know what to do if a disaster strikes? Evacuation routes, shelter plans, communication plans. Learn more at ready.gov/make-a-plan

Screen time: Apple has announced that its next operating system, iOS 12, will include an app, Screen Time, that will help users monitor the time they spend on various apps on their phones. The app will include bar charts dividing time spent on one's phone by category type: using a productivity app, an entertainment app, or one used for social networking. The app will also send reports to the user, allow users to self-impose limits, and offer controlling mechanisms, ostensibly to help avoid time wasting, including: do-not-disturb features, controls for notifications that allow users to avoid getting them, and the ability for users to manage their screen time for themselves and their children.

Hanna breakfast: At 7:30 a.m. on Thursday June 14, Jessica Jackson, National Director of the Dream Corps, will speak about her work on a national initiative to reduce the prison population while making our communities safer. The project brings together unlikely allies — formerly and currently incarcerated individuals, community members, crime survivors, local elected officials and law enforcement. By recognizing the humanity of those impacted, we can change laws in order to create safer streets and more peaceful neighborhoods. $30.

Ballet opportunity: Local ballet students (ages 10 and up) are invited to take a series of ballet classes with mother daughter duo, Nancy Bielski and Sophie Alpern, at the Sonoma Ballet Conservatory June 21 to 23. Bielski works with leading ballerinas such as Misty Copeland and Sarah Lane in American Ballet Theatre's class every week, in addition to teaching at Steps on Broadway. Her daughter teaches at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre and American Youth Dance Theatre in New York City. To enroll for one or more of the classes, call 938-1424 or email info@SonomaConservatoryofDance.org.

Congratulations:

* To SVHS graduating senior Dominic Tommasi who won the Grad Night car donated by Sonoma Chevrolet.

* To Regina J. Mellinger (SVHS '13), daughter of Joel and Mary Mellinger, who has graduated from St. Mary's College of California with a master of arts degree and her multiple subjects teaching credential. She will be pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher.

* To the following students who graduated from the University of San Diego on May 27. Madison Burningham earned a bachelor's degree in behavioral neuroscience. Monica Furne earned a bachelor's degree in business economics. Maverick Hall earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, magna cum laude.

Show younger kids what's possible: Does your teen, college student or recent grad have a great summer job or internship? Email one to three sentences on what they are doing to ourschools@sonomanews.com and I will run a list to inspire younger students as to what is possible.

Along those lines, I am always looking for ideas of local graduates to profile who have gone off to exciting careers. Email ideas to ourschools@sonomanews.com.

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